Simon Johnson’s Cityzens head to Cobham on Tuesday evening in the Second Round of the Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup. Johnson’s side booked their place in the Second Round with a historic 1-4 win on penalties on the road to Virginia Water, our first penalty shootout win in six years!
Cobham reached the Second Round with a 3-1 win at home to Corinthian Casuals.
As we continue to experience sub-zero temperatures, we don’t expect this fixture to be in any doubt as Cobham benefit from a 3G surface but please do keep an eye on our social media platforms and website.
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
Cobham Football Club was founded in 1886 and initially played in local leagues. They enjoyed success in the Kingston and District League in the 1920s and 1930s, and during World War II, they temporarily merged with Avorians Sports Club. In the post-war years, they struggled in the Home Counties League, later transitioning to the Combined Counties League. The club had a resurgence in the 1990s, finishing as league runners-up in 1998-99 and winning the Premier Division Challenge Cup in 2001-02. After relegation in 2008-09, they bounced back by finishing as Division One runners-up in 2017-18, earning promotion to the Premier Division.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This will be the third time we have faced Cobham, having met them twice in the Southern Combination Challenge Cup.
The first meeting was at the Rivermoor during the 2021/22 season in which we won 2-1 in the Quarter Final to set up a meeting with Fleet Town in the Semi-Final, which we unfortunately ended up losing, the second meeting was last season when we met the Hammers in the Second Round winning 0-1 at the Reg Madgwick Stadium. Johnson’s side would go on to win the Southern Combination Challenge Cup, securing our first bit of Silverware since rebranding as Reading City Football Club in what was a historic year for the club.
With the cold start to 2025 wreaking havoc with our fixture schedule, Simon Johnson’s side are well rested having last been in action on Saturday 28th December in our 1-1 draw against Wallingford & Crowmarsh here at the Rivermoor.
Cobham on the other hand benefit from a 3G surface at the Reg Madgwick Stadium and were last in action on Saturday 4th January which saw them draw 2-2 against Balham in Combined Counties Premier Division South action.
TICKETS
All games are pay on the gate and admission can be paid for by either cash or card.
Prices are:
Adults: £8
Concessions: £5
Under 16s: Free
REG MADGWICK STADIUM
Address: Reg Madgwick Stadium, Leg O’Mutton, KT11 1AA
DIRECTIONS
By Car: From Reading take the M4.
At junction 4B, Use the 2nd from the left lane to exit towards M3/M23/Gatwick Airport/Heathrow Airport
In 13.2 miles, merge onto M25
In 0.3 miles take the exit towards Portsmouth Rd/A3
In 0.3 miles slight left to merge onto Portsmouth Road/A3
In 0.7 miles merge onto Portsmouth Road/A3
In 0.3 miles take the A245 exit towards Walton/B365/Esher/A307
In 0.6 miles at the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Portsmouth Road/A245
In 0.3 miles at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Between Streets/A245
In 0.1 miles at the roundabout, turn right onto Downside Bridge Road.
Cobham Football Club is on the right-hand side.
Please note that no parking is permitted on the driveway down to the club, once the car park is full, please park in the pay & display across the road.
By Rail: From Reading, take Great Western Railway services towards Gatwick Airport and disembark at Guildford. Departing from Platform 5. This will be 9 stops and the journey should last approximately
Once you have disembarked at Guildford, you will need to catch a connecting service to Cobham & Stoke d’Abernon from Platform 3. This will be five stops and the journey should last approximately 21 minutes.
Once you’ve arrived at Cobham & Stoke d’Abernon Railway Station, take the stairs and exit via Cobham & Stoke d’Abernon Rail Station entrance.
Once you have left Cobham & Stoke d’Abernon Railway Station, take the C1 bus, operated by Chatterbus towards Downside and disembark at Waitrose (Six Stops), approximately a six-minute journey.
From Waitrose, Cobham Football Club is approximately a three-minute walk
Head west on Between Streets/A245 toward Oakdene Parade
Turn left toward Downside Bridge Road
Turn left onto Downside Bridge Rd
Cobham Football Club will be on your right-hand side
FACILITIES
Licensed bar
Food/drink hatch serving teas, coffees and some hot food!
